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Augusta State University draws its students from the Augusta-Aiken Metropolitan
Statistical Area (MSA). The MSA has a population of nearly half a million, and it
includes Richmond (Augusta), Columbia, Burke, and McDuffie counties in Georgia,
and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina. South Carolina students in
the MSA pay in-residence tuition.
The public sector is a major employer in the MSA, with 21 percent of all jobs being
with federal, state or local government. The largest employers include the Savannah
River Site (Department of Energy), the U.S. Army base at Fort Gordon, and the
Medical College of Georgia. Moreover, there are 16 county governments, 41 municipal
governments in the area, along with 25 agencies and offices of state government.
It is the only MPA program in the metro Augusta area. The nearest masters level
public administration programs are those of Georgia Southern (87 miles), University
of Georgia (100 miles), or the University of South Carolina, Columbia (90 miles).
Augusta is accessible to commercial and transportation centers via its location on
Interstate 20. The city is located two and half hours from Atlanta and its international
airport. Its waterfront on the historic Savannah River makes a picturesque visitors
center, and its residents are two and a half hours from the beaches of South Carolina
and Georgia (Hilton Head, Tybee) as well as the North Georgia mountains.
Augusta offers a low cost of living and affordable housing, a diverse culture, a
vibrant arts community and mild climate. For recreation, there is ample opportunity
for sailing and boating on nearby Clarks Hill Lake, also known as Lake Thurmond,
which is the largest man made lake east of the Mississippi with a 1200 mile shoreline
that is longer than the entire U.S. eastern seaboard.
Professional sports include:
HOCKEY - The Augusta Lynx
of the East Coast Hockey League Affiliated with NHL's New Jersey Devils & Vancouver Canucks.
BASEBALL - The Augusta Green Jackets
Minor League (Single A) baseball team. Affiliated with the Boston Red Sox.
FOOTBALL - Augusta Stallions,
a regionally based minor league version of Arena Football.
GOLF - Augusta is the proud host each spring to the
Masters® golf
tournament, the sport's most prestigious event. The Augusta National golf course designed
by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts has awed spectators for one week each April with its
lush lawns and brilliant foliage. The metro Augusta area is home to nine private and fourteen
public golf courses, several state parks, and 57 local parks which include recreation facilities
such as pools, tennis courts, and fields for intramural sports.
Its artistic venues include:
- Augusta Symphony (Ranked #1 in the state, by the Georgia Arts Council)
- Augusta Ballet
- Augusta Opera
- Augusta Choral Society
- Ft. Gordon Dinner Theatre
- Augusta Theatre Company
- Augusta Children's Choral
- Augusta Jazz Project
- Augusta State University Fine Arts Department
- Paine College Fine Arts Department
- and five other performance groups...
The city is blessed with eight performing arts centers, including a large outdoor amphitheater
located on the banks of the Savannah River. It is home to six museums which house distinctive
art and historical collections, as well as an interactive science museum.
For basic information about Augusta, Georgia, including information for visitors and new
residents, data on the regional economy, the corporate community, the workforce,
educational institutions, cultural events, recreation facilities and general quality of life
factors, see the Augusta Metro
Chamber of Commerce website. Click on Links.
Also, the web site of the Augusta
Area Visitors and Convention Bureau provides current news about the area.
Look at neighboring Columbia County as well.
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